The new movie about OpenAI's Sam Altman sounds a lot like 'The Social Network.' Should he care?

A new film titled "Artificial," backed by Amazon with a budget of $40 million, is set to explore the intriguing dynamics surrounding OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman. Scheduled for release next year, the movie draws comparisons to the iconic 2010 film "The Social Network," which chronicled the rise of Facebook and its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, albeit with a twist that positions Altman in a less-than-heroic light. The screenplay, reviewed by Puck's Matt Belloni, reveals a narrative filled with tension and drama, particularly focusing on the sensational events of late 2023 when Altman was controversially dismissed by OpenAI's board, only to make a striking comeback shortly thereafter. This storyline bears a resemblance to the tumultuous relationships depicted among Facebook's founders in "The Social Network." Actor Andrew Garfield takes on the role of Altman, portraying him as a cunning CEO, contrasting with his previous role as the underdog co-founder in the aforementioned film. The decision by Amazon to greenlight this project raises eyebrows, considering its potential to ruffle the feathers of influential figures in the tech industry. Belloni points out that Altman should be wary of his on-screen representation. The impact of "The Social Network" on Zuckerberg's public image was significant, painting him as a manipulative figure and influencing public perception in a way that was hard to shake off. Zuckerberg himself initially criticized the film for its inaccuracies, but later accepted his portrayal, even making an appearance on "Saturday Night Live" with Jesse Eisenberg, the actor who played him. As public sentiment towards Zuckerberg has soured over the years, it remains to be seen how Altman will navigate the fallout from "Artificial." While he may not yet be as widely recognized as Zuckerberg, Altman has been a vocal figure in the tech community, notably opposing Donald Trump in the past, but more recently attempting to align himself with the current administration. Will "Artificial" serve as Altman's defining narrative, similar to how "The Social Network" became for Zuckerberg? Only time will tell, but for now, Altman's concern may lie more with the perceptions of key individuals rather than the broader public response.